Douglas still has big part to play

3:43pm Thursday 17th April 2008

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Jonathan Douglas, banned for Leeds United's match at Millwall on Saturday, has been assured he has a big part to play on his return.

Douglas was sent off for two yellow cards in the West Yorkshire derby at Huddersfield on Tuesday night in his sixth game since recovering from a long injury lay-off and, in the captain's latest absence, David Prutton is favourite to step in.

Prutton and youngster Jonny Howson formed an effective midfield partnership while Douglas was out, but manager Gary McAllister sees the former Blackburn player as an influential figure.

McAllister explained: "Jonathan Douglas has been very calm and has certainly helped his midfield partners in recent games but we also played some good stuff when he wasn't in the side.

"As much as any team would miss a player of Jonathan's influence we have capable guys in reserve.

"When I came here he was easing his way back from injury and has worked very hard. I said he would be influential once he got himself fit, and after his suspension he will be influential again in the final two games.

"We lost a bit of rhythm when Jonathan was sent off at Huddersfield but we are looking to get that game out of our system."

Douglas scored twice in United's 4-2 win at the New Den in October and will be missed, but 20-goal top-scorer Jermaine Beckford hopes to be back after missing the Huddersfield game with an ankle injury and left back Alan Sheehan returns on completing a two-match ban.

Sheehan was in good form before his suspension and Leicester have agreed to extend his loan spell if United make the promotion play-offs.

Central defender Paul Huntington picked up a minor knock on Tuesday but McAllister expects him to recover in time to face Millwall.

United are determined to put the Huddersfield defeat behind them and McAllister says: "I saw that result as a minor blip. The players can't wait to get on the pitch at Millwall."

As Leeds await the outcome of the independent tribunal over the League's decision to deduct them 15 points, McAllister has just one aim in mind - maximum points from the remaining three matches.

A win at Millwall would be enough to book a play-off place as chasers Walsall and Brighton have vastly inferior goal differences, but McAllister says winning the final three games would provide a psychological boost for the task in the play-offs.